Sabalenka brings out the steamroller at the US Open

Aryna Sabalenka has achieved one of those victories that are worth their weight in gold at the US Open 2026. The world number 1 showed her best version to crush Polina Iatcenko 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes of play, where she was superior at all times. A performance that will surely help her regain lost confidence as she aims to defend her title in New York.

Sabalenka's last few months have been complicated. She has not managed to win any Grand Slam throughout the year, and since the clay tour, she has been showing a worrying and fragile image in most tournaments. However, the US Open is that place where Aryna plays well no matter what happens or what the dynamics are, and she proved it again today. The Belarusian was a steamroller, hardly allowing Iatcenko to win two games in the entire match.

Rybakina puts pressure in the fight for number 1

It’s difficult to play this way considering that for Elena Rybakina it is enough to reach the semifinals to become the world number 1, even with Sabalenka winning the tournament. It's tough not to depend on oneself, but it doesn't seem to have affected her in the slightest today. Sharp on serve and powerful with her forehand and backhand, Aryna played her best match in recent months, which is very good news for her interests and aspirations.

In the third round, she will face Kamilla Rakhimova, who also comes in strong after conceding only three games against Spanish player Oksana Selekhmeteva. In the first round, the Uzbek also defeated another renowned rival like Barbora Krejcikova without dropping a set, so it is expected to be a tougher test than those she has faced so far in a key tournament to save her season.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka saca el rodillo en el US Open